Pushing for an increase in the county's sales tax to help fund future school projects was a cornerstone of Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson's 15th annual State of the County Address.

The final decision to raise the sales tax from 2.5 percent to the maximum 2.75 percent would be left up to residents in a county-wide referendum, but Anderson has been visiting the county's six municipalities over the past several weeks in efforts to convince cities to agree to an inter-local agreement that would allocate a portion of new revenue to cover debt service for schools.

"The school system could see an additional $60 million by the arrangements we're working on for three years," Anderson said.

He also updated attendees on the revenue that's been generated through the new impact fee that partially went into effect in March, while the other half will go into effect on September 1.

Once it's up and running, Anderson said the impact fee would produce $25 million annually.

"One of the hardest buttons in the world for any elected official to push is to say yes to a personal property tax (increase)," Anderson said. "Doing so directly affects each property owner and our county commission is constantly reviewing other sources of revenue which may be available."

The fiscal 2018 budget of $557.75 million that the commission passed on July 10 doesn't raise the property tax rate, at $2.15 per $100 of assessed value.

The budget is an 8.29 increase from last year.

Anderson also gave some figures that provided more context on the county's rate of growth over the past decade.

Since the 2007-2008 school year, student populations have increased by 32 percent.

The county's latest population estimates are roughly 216,000 people, up from 183,000 people in the 2010 census.

With portable classrooms stationed at many of the county's 44 school sites, Anderson circled back to the need for a sales tax increase to help absorb the cost of future school construction and debt service.

"If you believe in the success of the school system, I encourage each of your to ask questions, go to the polls and vote your conscience," he said.

A map of potential development areas in Williamson County identifies county and state-owned roads that will see greater traffic congestion in coming years, particularly in PDAs 7, 8 and 9.(Photo11: Courtesy of McBride Dale Clarion)

As Anderson took questions after his speech, Brentwood resident John Byers asked Anderson whether the city of Brentwood has contacted him about considering secession from Williamson County Schools to create its own district.

"They've not reached out to me yet, I'm sure they will," Anderson said. "It would carry a heavy price tag."

Anderson's speech also touched on the county's economic performance from the scope of financial health, education, public safety, transportation, job growth and capital investments.